Local families receive holiday meals

NEPTUNE — Children in the Kids Café program receive a hot meal each day during their after-school programs. However, when schools are closed, many families struggle.

The grocery chain, Wegmans, wanted to help those families.

So Wegmans teamed up with The Food- Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties to distribute a frozen turkey and bag of groceries to each child’s family.

“We are big supporters of the work being done at the local Boys and Girls Clubs. The way in which their teams engage children is rooted in enhancing the future of our community through foundational instruction. It is a mission that holds a place in our hearts; one that resonates with our people. As we looked at the needs for the holiday season, we thought of no better way than to work through the FoodBank to provide a turkey and holiday bag for the members of the Boys and Girls Clubs in Asbury Park and Red Bank, as well as wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season,” said John Zammetti, store manager of Ocean Wegmans, in a press release.

“There are 40,000 children in our serving area that are in food insecure households,” said FoodBank Executive Director Carlos Rodriguez in the press release. “For some of the children in the Kids Café program, it’s the only hot meal they receive all day and it truly makes a difference in their ability to thrive so they can focus on their school work. Kids cannot concentrate when their stomachs are empty. When the program is closed, some families have to go without or stretch their meals so everyone can eat. This donated meal allows them to enjoy the holiday with less stress over food.”

“I know for a fact that this extra meal is a great help to our families, so we are very grateful to Wegmans and The FoodBank for working together to make this happen,” said Stephanie D’Alessio, Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County’s director of education and programs. “This is what community is all about.”